asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the recommendations on improvements in rail safety, made by the official inquiries into the Cherryville and Buttevant rail crashes; the reason these proposals have not yet been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rail Safety.
10.
The reports on the Buttevant and Cherryville accidents have a common recommendation regarding restrictions on the use of timber-bodied coaches. These recommendations have been implemented progressively as new rolling stock became available. Since Buttevant the number of timber-bodied coaches has fallen from 235 to 69. This number will be reduced to 45 when push-pull coaches, at present in the course of construction, are brought into service later this year. The other seven recommendations in the Buttevant report have been implemented.
In the case of the report on the Cherryville accident, seven of the other eight recommendations have been implemented, one with minor modifications. This modification allows trains, when permission is given by the signalman, to pass a signal of Danger at up to 15 mph instead of 10 mph. The eighth recommendation, which relates to the provision of tail lamps on the rear of trains, is in the course of being implemented also on the basis of an improved modification. This allows for high visibility markings, which are being procured by Iarnrod Eireann, at the rear of passenger trains as an acceptable alternative to lighted tail lamps during daylight.
Would the Minister agree that a lot of time has elapsed and even at this time the recommendations have not been fully implemented? In relation to the Buttevant rail disaster, what was the number of recommendations made? He mentioned that eight had been implemented. What recommendations have still to be implemented?
There are none left. I went into some detail on the timber-bodied coaches. All the others have been implemented.